Apparatus for guiding a plurality of threads onto a thread package



Aug. 19, 1969 w. STEL-WAGEN ET AL 3,461,518

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING A PLURALITY 0F THREADS ONTO A THREAD PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8. 1967 Mum-1969 WWW mL. 3.461.518.

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING A PLURALITY OF THREADS 'ONIO' A THREAD PACKAGE I F1101 May 8.. 1967 5 Shanks!!! 2 m vEN'ro Rs I j Wax/m fie/W Aug. 19, 1969 w, S ELWAGEN ET AL 3,461,518

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING A PLURALITY OF THREADS ONTO A THREAD PACKAGE 7 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 8. 1967 WILLEM STELWAGEN 8 JAN JOUCKE JOHAN HOEKSTRA INVENTOR United States Patent U.s.'c1. 28-32 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for guiding a sheet of parallelized threads that are simultaneously wound to a thread package which comprises guide means through which the threads of the sheet are passed, driving means for imparting at least one corrective movement to the guide means so that at least part of the sheet of threads makes a movement in its plane transverse to the direction of travel of the threads,

and detecting means for supplying a control signal to the driving means which is representative of the selvage build of the package and which causes the driving means to move the guide means whereby a deviating selvage build is selectively corrected.

- This invention relates to an apparatus, which is especially useful in a warper, for guiding a sheet of parallelized threads, yarns or the like thread-like products that v are simultaneously wound to a thread package, and more particularly to an apparatus having guide means, through which the threads of the sheet are passed prior to being wound to the thread package, which is controlled so that a deviating selvage build is corrected.

' apparatus of this type is used in order to obtain a uniformly built up thread package. This is of particular importance in the case of yarn delivery on beams. 'In knitting and weaving mills, for instance, withoperation from yarn beams, it is necessary that the unwinding" of the yarn from the beams also proceed smoothly at high speeds. 'In this respect, difiiculties may particularly be encountered when in the case of a poorly positioned'sheet of threads, the threads adjacent to the beam flanges become trapped between and under previously laid windings. "In a known apparatus of the above type for winding yarn onto a warp beam, there is provided a guiding element'in the form of a reed. This reed comprises two groups of parallel wires. The two groups of wires are disposed in opposite directions from a vertical center line. The sheetot threads may in its entirety make a translatory movement in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the threads. Further, it is possible for the parts of the sheet of threads positioned beside the middle thereofto make oppositely directed translatory movements, so that the sheet of threads may both be' widened and narrowed. Which of these translatory movements is tobe carried out depends on the selvage profile of the yarn beam (by which is to be understood the outline of either beam end viewed in longitudinal section). If a truly cylindrical yarn beam is required, then a deviating selvage build may result in a concave or convex selvage profile. In the former case, there is formed a rising edge and in the second case, a dropping edge.

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In the known apparatus the formation of a deviating selvage profile is detected by elements which generate a signal proportional to the velocity of the selvage yarn or thread ends. Positioned on either side of the sheet of threads are two velocity detecting elements which are coupled, respectively, to selvage and body yarn ends, The signals from the detecting elements are supplied to a comparator unit in which they are compared. In the case of a difference between the signals, a driving means for the reed imparts a corrective movement thereto. The driving means comprises one motor, which may cause the reed to move horizontally, parallel to the axis of the yarn beam, and another motor which may cause the reed to move vertically. If the same difference in velocity is established for the two ends of the yarn beam, then only the motor for the vertical reed movement is actuated. As a result, the sheet of threads is contracted or expanded depending on whether the reed is raised or lowered.

If the variation in velocity appears only at one end of the beam, then the motor is actuated which communicates a horizontal movement to the reed. In this case, the sheet of threads in its entirety moves parallel to the yarn beam axis. As a result, the package build-up at the opposite end is correspondingly disturbed. As this end of the package the comparator unit will, consequently, establish the same variation in velocity. Subsequently, the motor for the vertical reed movement is actuated, and as a result, the selvage profile at both ends is corrected. It will be clear with the known apparatus that if there is a wrong selvage build at only one end of the thread package or also in the case where there is a rising edge at one end, a dropping edge at the other end the correction will be eifected in two stages. In the first stage the horizontal reed movement causes the same deviation to occur on either side of the thread package. In the second stage the build disturbed on either side is corrected by the vertical reed movement.

The apparatus according to this invention envisages correcting any kind of deviating selvage build in one phase. Thus the apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with driving means which imparts such a correcting movement to the guide means that substantially only those selvage threads that form part of a wrongly built' up selvage participate in the transverse movement. The advantage of this arrangement is'that a correction applied to a selvage profile deviating at one end of the yarn beam does not also cause a deviation in the selvage profile at the other end of the yarn beam,'as is the case with the known apparatus. In other words the present apparatus is capable of carrying out a selective correction of the selvage profiles.

Thus, this invention contemplates an apparatus for guiding a sheet of parallelized threads that are simultaneously wound to a thread package in a warper, which comprises guide means through which the threads of the sheet are passed, driving means for controlling movement of the guide means and detecting means for supplying a corrective control signal to the driving means which is representative of the selvage build of the packageand which causes the driving means to move the guide means whereby a deviating selvage build is selectively corrected.

More particularly, the apparatus of this invention is characterized in that the guide means include a guiding element provided with a series of side-by-side openings through which the threads of the sheet are passed; the

to the guiding element so that at least a part of the sheet of threads makes a movement in its plane transverse to the direction of travel of the threads; and the detecting means includes detecting elements which, in co-operation with the selvage threads, produce a control signal that is supplied to the driving means, which in turn impart corrective movement to the guiding element.

It has also been found that the apparatus heretofore described as known, has the disadvantage that its sensitivity decreases during the winding operation as the yarn beam diameter increases. This decrease in sensitivity occurs since the motors for the reed movements are not actuated before the difference in the yarn velocities, detected by the detecting elements, has reached a certain point. If, as is usual, the winding is carried out using a constant circumferential speed, then the difference between the radial distances to the yarn beam axis of the yarns, the velocities of which are compared, must become greater and greater to reach the required difference in velocity.

Advantageously, it has been found that these disadvantages are obviated by an embodiment of this invention which is characterized in that the detecting means, in cooperation with the selvage threads, supplies a control signal derived from the geometric form of the selvage profile formed by the selvage yarn ends. Thus, in the apparatus of this invention the shape of the ends of the thread package is taken into account and the sensitivity of the apparatus is made independent of the diameter of the thread or yarn package.

For carrying out a selective selvage correction, use may be made of a guiding element in the form of a reed with parallel wires which is adapted to turn in its plane about two shafts positioned at its ends.

A very suitable and simpler embodiment of the apparatus for the winding of a yarn beam is characterized in that the guiding element is a fan reed (known in itself), the driving means can separately or simultaneously impart to the fan reed a translatory movement in a direction parallel to the yarn beam axis and a translatory movement in a direction perpendicular to the yarn beam axis, and if the two translatory movements are carried out simultaneously, the direction of the resultant translation is parallel to the direction of a fan reed opening through which a selvage thread is passed. In this manner, a correction applied to a selvage profile deviating at one end of the yarn beam will not also cause a deviation in the selvage profile at the other end of the yarn beam and a selective correction of the selvage profiles is obtained.

A selective correction may also be effected with an apparatus in which the reed has a number of swinging sections, preferably two, and the driving means is capable of separately as well as simultaneously swinging at least two of the reed sections. Instead of a reed translation along four different axes, as is the case with the heretofore described construction, each movable reed section is capable of making a rotation in two directions. To this end, use may be made of a V-reed.

Furthermore, it is possible for a selective selvage correction to be carried out with an apparatus which is provided with an expanding reed and a driving means which is capable of imparting to the reed: (a) a movement such that the reed is compressed or extended relative to its middle; or (b) a movement such that one end of the reed is moved outwardsor inwards; or (c) a movement such that one end of the reedis moved outwards and the other end is moved inwards.

The expandingreed may be a zig-zag reed consisting of a number of reed sections which are hingedly connected to each other at the points of the alternate right and left turns. Also the reed may be made up of a number of diamond-shaped sections which are hinged at the angular points of the diamonds. Or use may be made of an expanding reed which comprises a helical spring whose coils carry the reed wires. However, for an accurate selvage v build of a-yarn beam in the case of a small thread pitch it is preferred to use one of the first two types. With these two constructions the middle of the reed forms a fixed pivoting point relative to the reed frame. The three movements mentioned above may then be effected by means of two driving motors each of which operates one half of the reed. In that case the two halves of the reed may separately or simultaneously be compressed and extended relative to the middle of the reed. When, for instance, a dropping selvage is formed at the left end of the thread package, then the left half of the reed is extended to correct the selvage build. However, it is preferred to use an apparatus comprising an expanding reed characterized in that the driving meanscan impart: (a) a movement such that the reed is compressed or extended relative to its middle; or (b) a movement such that one end of the reed is moved outwards or inwards; or (c) a movement such that the reed in its entirety makes a translatory movement parallel to the axis of the thread package.

This apparatus has the advantage that when there is a deviating selvage build at one end of the thread package, correction of the thread pitch is not restricted,to the respective half of the sheet of threads but is applied to the entire sheet of threads. The driving means may then comprise two driving motors one of which adjusts the thread pitch by extending or compressing the reed and the other effects the translation of the reed in its entirety. When at one end of the thread package there is formed a deviating selvage build, then the two driving motors start operating in such a way that the respective correction does not disturb the build of the other selvage. In the case of a rising selvage at the left hand end, the reed is in its entirety moved to the right by the one driving motor and at the same time compressed by the other motor. The velocities of these two movements are of such direction and magnitude that the right hand end of the reed is kept in its position. Consequently, with the resultant transverse movement of the threads the position of the right hand selvage threads is substantially maintained. However, the driving means also may comprise two motors each of which is coupled to one end of the expanding reed. Each of the motors is, in this case, capable of compressing or extending the reed, the reed end coupled to the other, nonoperative, motor remaining in its position. By causing the two motors to work simultaneously, the reed may be compressed or extended relative to its middle or in its entirety make a translatory movement to the left or to the right. As driving means use may, for instance, be made here of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.

A variant embodiment of the apparatus is characterized in that there is provided a reed with parallel wires which is positioned perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of threads. This reed has a nominal position in which the v plane of the reed is oblique relative to the sheet of threads. The reed is pivotally mounted on two shafts positioned at its ends and parallel to the reed wires. In this arrangement the driving means may cause the reed to pivot on the two shafts separately or simultaneously.

With the last-mentioned embodiment, the reed movement may be derived, for instance from hydraulically or pneumatically operated pistons having rods pivotally connected to the ends of the reed. It is necessary, in this case, that one of the cylinders in which the pistons move be pivotally mounted.

' Another embodiment of the apparatus is characterized in that means are provided for causing the guiding element to make a periodic traversing movement in a di rection parallel to the axis of the thread package.

If such an apparatus is provided with an electric driving means for actuating the guiding element, then it is pre ferred to use an embodiment in which the driving means comprise a generator for producing an electric signal representing the desired traverse motion and a device for superimposing this signal on the electric correction signal for the control of the driving means.

As detecting elements use could be made of the velocity detecting elements of the known apparatusaHowever, as noted above, control with the aid of these velocity detecting elements causes the sensitivity of the apparatus to decrease as the yarn beam diameter increases. Therefore, as heretofore described, an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention is characterized in that detecting elements are employed which in cooperation with the selvages of the thread package produce a control signal derived from the geometric form of the selvage profile.

It will be appreciated that a light source may be provided which projects an image of a selvage profile that is compared with the desired profile by the use of photoelectric cell. As soon as an inadmissible difference appears between the actual and the desired profile, the photoelectric cell will produce a control signal that can be used to control the guiding'element.

In accordance with the invention, preference is given to an apparatus in which the detecting means comprises at least two detecting elements, each of which is connected with an inlet opening through which gas may be fed thereto and provided with a first outflow opening which, during operation, is positioned near and directed at one end of the thread package, a main channel which connects the inlet and outflow openings, a constriction provided in the main channel, and an auxiliary channel in which the gas pressure forms the control signal. One end of the auxiliary channel connects with the main channel at a point between the outflow opening and the constriction and the other end connects with the driving means to effect its control by the signal.

In this apparatus a deviating selvage build is reflected in a change of the resistance offered to the gas issuing from the detecting elements. This change of resistance, in turn, manifests itself in a change in the gas pressure in the auxiliary channel, which gas pressure serves as control signal for the driving means. During winding-of the threads, the detecting elements could be kept at a fixed distance from the thread package. As a rule, however, it will not be objectionable for the detecting elements to bear against the thread package while exerting a slight pressure thereon.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is-characterized in that there are provided a sensing element, which is in contact with the thread package when the apparatus is in operation, a guide which serves to keep the sensing element to a given path as the diameter of the thread package increases, and two detecting elements, oneat eachend of the thread package coupled to the sensing element and freely movable relative to said sensing element in a direction transverse to the threadpackage.

The sensing element is pushed sideways by the growing thread package and serves to move each of .the detecting elements. Each detecting element may be laid against the thread package so that it exerts a constant pressure thereon. For instance, each of the detecting elements can be positioned under the influence of a springwhich at its one end bears against the. detecting element and at its/other end against a slide or similarelement with the aid of which the sensing element is coupled to the detecting elements. I

The sensing element is preferably formed by a. freely rotatably supported body of revolution, e.g., a roller.

In an apparatus in which the threads are wound on to a yarn beam provided with a presser roll in contact with the thread package, the sensing element is preferably formed by the presser roll.

If the threads are to be wound on a package holder pro vided with two flanges, it is advantageous for each of the detecting elements to be provided with a second outflow opening whichduring normal operation is located near and directed at the inner sideof a flange. With this construction the detecting means also comprises a main channel which connects an. inlet opening with the second outflow opening, a constriction located in the main channel and an auxiliary channel which at its one end connects with the main channel at a pointbetweenthe outflow opening and the constriction and at its other end with the driving means so that the position of the second outflow opening relative to the flange may be signalled to the driving means. This construction is of importance if the package holder or beam is to be filled up to capacity and there is a chance that when the holder is filled up, the detecting elements will run over the flange edges. With this special provision it may be ensured that as soon as this risk is imminent the driving means is cut out and/ or an acoustic or optic warning signal is produced.

It is preferred that the detecting elements are kept in contact with the flanges by the action of a spring. In this manner, the second outflow opening is closed during normal operation and a minimum amount of gas can escape. Moreover, a maximum sensitivity of the signalling system is obtained. 7 Further it is preferred that each of the .detecting elements is provided with a third outflow opening which during normal operation is located near and directed at the thread package. With this construction, the detecting means also comprises a main channel which connects an inlet opening and third outflow opening, a constriction located in the main channel, and an auxiliary channel which at its one end connects with the main channel at a point between the outflow opening and the constriction and at its other end with the driving means so that the position of the third outflow opening relative to the thread package may be signalled to the driving means.

This construction not only makes it possible to check up on the correct position of the detecting elements parallel to the thread package but also on the position transverse to the thread package. If, for instance, the air pressure in the two auxiliary channels corresponding to the second and third outflow openings falls off, then the associated or pertaining detecting element will be removed too far from a flange as well as from the thread package.

When it is not required to distinguish between the variations in position in the two directions of the detecting elements, then the auxiliary channels corresponding, respectively, to the second and third outflow openings may with advantage be combined into a single auxiliary channel connected to the driving means.

This may be realized in a simple manner, if in each detecting element the two auxiliary channels are interconnected. In this case, only one of each pair of auxiliary channels need be connected to the driving means. In this way it is indicated only which of the two detecting elements takes up a deviating position.

If this is not required either, then it is preferred to combine all the auxiliary channels of the detecting ele ments corresponding to the second and the third outflow openings, respectively, to a single auxiliary channel connected to the driving means.

Further, it is preferred that the ratio of the cross-sec.- tional area of the first outflow opening to that of its associated constriction is about two. In this way a sensitive control over a relatively large range is obtained.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention for winding a thread package;

7 FIGURES 2 and 3 are, respectively, views in section and side elevation, of a detecting element used in the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed illustration of the attachment means for the detecting elements;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a guiding element of the inventionthat is in the form of a reed having parallel wires which can be turned in its plane about two shafts positioned at its ends;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the guiding element having two swinging reed sections;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic representation of still another embodiment of the guiding element which is a zig-zag expanding reed; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the guiding element which is an expanding reed with diamond-shaped sections.

In FIGURE 1 the reference numeral 1 designates a large number of adjacent threads 2 forming a sheet of threads. The threads 2 are unwound from bobbins which are mounted in a creel (not shown). The direction of travel of the threads is indicated by an arrow. The sheet of threads is passed through a fan reed 3, which includes a large number of wires 4. Between these wires are narrow openings through which the threads are passed. As shown in FIGURE 1, the wires are inclined as increasing angles from the vertical as they are positioned further away from the center of the reed. The threads are then passed over a guide roller 5 and finally wound on a beam 6. This beam is formed by a cylinder portion on which the yarn is wound into a thread package 7 and by two flanges 8 and 9. The beam 6 is driven by a driving mechanism 10 which provides a constant circumferential speed. A pneumatic detecting element 11 is pressed against the thread package and the flange 8 by the springs 12 and 13, respectively. At the other end of the thread package a second detecting element 14 is pressed against the thread package and the flange 9 by the springs 15 and 16, respectively.

The construction of the detecting elements is further described with reference to the FIGURES 2 and 3. Since, the construction of the detecting element 14 is entirely symmetrical with that of the detecting element 11 only the latter is shown in detail. In the front face 18 of the detecting element 11 there is provided a first outflow opening 19 which communicates with a connecting pipe 22 via the bores and 21. Also there is provided a second outflow opening 23 in the side face 24 which bears against the flange 8. A third outflow opening 25 is located in the front face 18 on the right hand side of the detecting element. The second and the third outflow openings both connect with a bore 29 via the bores 27 and 28, respectively, and bore 29 communicates with a connecting pipe 30. FIG- URE 1 shows that the connecting pipes 22 and 30 are con nected to distributor conduits 33 and 34, respectively, by means of flexible lines 31 and 32, respectively. Likewise, the detecting element 14 is connected to the distributor conduits 33 and 34 by means of flexible lines 35 and 36. Through the inlet pipes 37 and 38 compressed air at a pressure of 2 atmospheres is fed into the distributor conduits. In these distributor conduits the air stream splits into two partial streams each of which passes a fixed constriction. These constrictions are referred to by the numerals 9, 40, 41 and 42. Subsequently, the compressed air passes through the flexible lines 31, 32 and 35, 36 into the detecting elements 11 and 14, respectively. The passage for the compressed air between the inlet pipes 37 and 38 and the outflow openings of the detecting elements 11 and 14 will hereinafter be referred to as the main channel. Thus the inlet pipe 37, the left half of the distributor conduit 33, the flexible line 31, the connecting pipe 22, and the bores 20 and 21 (FIGURE 2) form a main channel through which compressed air is fed to the first outflow opening 19. Another main channel is formed by the inlet pipe 38, the left half of the distributor conduit 34, the flexible line 32, the connecting pipe 30, and the bores 29 and 27, and through which the compressed air is fed to the second outflow opening 23. Corresponding main channels connect the inlet pipes 37 and 38 with the outflow openings of the detecting element 14. Two auxiliary channels also end in each of the two distributor conduits. These channels are at their other ends connected to a driving means (to be discussed hereinafter) for the fan reed 3. For the sake of simplicity only the two auxiliary channels connected to the distributor conduit 33 are completely shown. These two auxiliary channels each comprise a connecting pipe 43 or 44, respectively, and a flexible line 45 or 46, respectively. The lines 45, 46 are connected to pressure switches 47, 48, which are each provided with two contacts and have a neutral mid-position. The pressure switches are electrically connected to the two polar relays 49 and 50, having contacts that serve to control, via the schematically indicated electrical connections 51 and 52, the synchronous motors 53 and 54. The synchronous motors form part of a driving apparatus for the fan reed 3 which can be displaced in a horizontal direction parallel to the axis of the thread package 7 by the synchronous motor 53 and in vertical direction perpendicular to the axis of the package by the synchronous motor 54.

In the following discussion of the operation of the described apparatus, it is assumed that only a convex selvage profile occurs. The driving apparatus then so functions, as will be apparent hereinafter, that when the convexity of the selvage profile has dropped to below a given value, to be referred to hereinafter as its lower limit, a correction is made as a result of which a selvage profile having a greater convexity is built up. When, on the other hand, the convexity has exceeded a given value, to be referred to hereinafter as its upper limit, then the resulting correction effects a selvage build with smaller convexity.

For instance, when the convexity of the left hand selvage profile exceeds the upper limit the apparatus responds as follows: when leaving the left hand detecting element 11 through the outflow opening 19 the compressed air meets with a relatively low resistance as it impinges on the package. Consequently the air pressure in the auxiliary channel 43, 45 drops. Pressure switch 47 thereupon closes one of its two contacts so that both the polar relay 49 and the polar relay are excited. In turn the contacts of the polar relays energize the synchronous motors 53, 54 which effect, respectively, a horizontal and a vertical displacement to the fan reed. The velocities of this translatory movement are of such magnitude and direction that the resultant reed movement is in a downward direction which is parallel to the direction of the right hand fan reed opening through which a selvage thread is passed and which in this case is the fan reed opening on the extreme right. As a result, the left hand selvage threads are displaced to the left, whereas the right hand selvage threads remain in their places. The convexity of the left hand selvage profile is consequently reduced. It should be borne in mind that in the case of a convex or dropping selvage profile the maximum deviation is in the order of magnitude of only a few tenths of a millimeter. This deviation implies the difference in radius of a'slightly noncylindrical thread package from that of a truly cylindrical package.

In the opposite case where the convexity of the left hand selvage profile decreases, the air pressure at the outflow opening 19 gradually increases, so that the pressure in the auxiliary channel 43, 45 rises. When this pressure exceeds a' given maximum value corresponding to the lower limit of the convexity, then the pressure switch 47 closes its other contact. The polar relays 49, 50 are then energized in the opposite sense. Consequently, the synchronous motors 53, 50 start rotating in the opposite direction. The fan reed 3 is then displaced in an opposite direction, i.e., upwards to the right, so that the left hand selvage threads are pushed to the right. When'the deviations occur only at the right-hand selvage profile, then an analogous correction is made, except that in that case the fan reed is moved in a direction parallel to the fan reed opening on the extreme left.

In the case where sim'ilardeviations occur on both sides of the thread package the fan reed'is only moved in vertical direction. If, on both sides there occurs a too strongly convex selvage profile, then the air pressure in the two auxiliary channels 43, 45 and 44, 46 drops to a value at which the two pressure switches close one of their contacts. The switching configuration is such that -9 the polar relay 50 is excited but the resulting excitement of the polar relay 49 is zero. 7

Synchronous motor 54 thereupon displaces the fan reed 3 vertically downwards, so that both the left and right hand selvage threads are moved outwards.

When on the other hand, opposite deviations occur, at both ends of the package then the fan reed is moved in a horizontal direction. If, for instance, the left hand selvage profile is too weakly convex, but the right hand selvage profile too strongly convex, then the polar relay 49 is excited, but the resulting excitement of the polar relay 50 is zero. As a result, only the synchronous motor 53 is energized and it displaces the fan reed with the entire sheet of threads horizontally to the right.

As will be clear from the foregoing description, the electric circuit of the driving apparatus is capable of logically choosing the desired reed movement. The reed can move along four different axes, i.e., along a vertical and a horizontal axis and along two axes which are parallel to, respectively, the extreme left hand and, the extreme right hand reed opening. Since the movement of the reed along each axis may take place in two opposite directions, the reed can make a correction movement in one of eight different directions.

FIGURE 4 shows, in a plan view and partly in section, the attachment means of the detecting elements 11 and 14. Corresponding parts are referred to by like reference numerals. The detecting elements 11, 14 are attached to holders 55, 56, which are capable of moving in axial as well as in radial direction relative to the thread package 7. The radial movement of the holders 55, 56 takes place within supptrting frames 57 and 58, respectively. Only frame 58 is shown in cross-section. To this end, the holders are provided with ball boxes or guide collars which slide over pins mounted in the supporting frames. The collar of the holder 56 is referred to by numeral 59 and the pin by 61. The axial movement of the detecting elements is effected in that each of the supporting frames is at its upper and lower side provided with collars with the aidof whichthey can slide on pins which are placed parallel to the axis of the thread package 7. In the drawing the collars provided at the lower sides of the supporting frames are still just visible. Those of the supporting frame 57 are referred to by the numerals 62 and 63; whereas the lower collars of the supporting frame 58 are referred to by 64 and 65. The collars 62. and 63 can slide on a pin 66 and the collars 64, 65 on a pin 67. The pins 66and 67 are mounted in the arms 68 and 69, shown in section, of a frame support. This also supports a freely rotatably mounted body of revolution in the form of a roller 70. The frame support is carried by two supports-71 and '72 which also form part of a guide for the roller 70. The. guide further comprises a bridge piece 73 at the ends of which there are provided collars 74 and 75 which can move on guide rods 76 and 77, respectively. vThese rods are sup ported by stands 78, 79 and 80, 81. During the winding process the roller- 70, which is lightly pressed against the thread package, is in rolling contact'withthe latter and is at the same time pushed sideways by the growing thread package. The detectingv elements 11, 14' remain in contact with the flanges and the threadPackage and ensure that the desired selvage build is obtained.

As heretofore mentioned, it is preferred that the detecting elements are provided with one or more additional outflow openings, which serve to check up on the position of the detecting elements before as well as duringthe winding operation. FIGURE 1 shows that the two additional outflow openings 23 and 25 (also see FIGURE 2) of the detecting element 11 communicate .with a common auxiliary channel. Only the connecting pipe 82 of this channel is shown. Likewise, the two additional outflow openings of the detecting element 14 communicate with a common auxiliary channel,.of which only the connecting pipe 83 is shown. A deviating position of a detecting element such that it is no longer in contact with the thread package or the flange will result in a relatively low air pressure in the appropriate air channel. If, for instance, the detecting elements are about to pass over the edge of the flanges 8, 9, then the winding may be stopped or it may be continued with the automatic reed movement being cut out. In the latter case, the reed may be moved by hand power. Although in the described embodiment, each detecting element is provided with an additional auxiliary channel which communicates with the second and third outflow opening of the detecting element, it is also possible just to use one common additional auxiliary channel. In that case the air pressure in said common auxiliary channel drops as soon as the additional outflow opening of one of the detecting elements is closed to a lesser extent. 'It is then suflicient to provide one common constriction, for instance in the inlet pipe 38.

Furthermore, instead of polar relays and synchronous motors, the driving means for the reed may comprise servo-motors controlled by servo amplifiers. When, as in the case of many warping machines, a presser roll bears against the thread package, the detecting elements can also be coupled to said presser roll, so that no separate sensing element need be provided. The object of such a presser roll is to obtain a smooth thread package. However, the use of such a presser roll has the disadvantage that when the yarn beam is braked the circumferential speeds of the presser roll and the thread package cannot be kept entirely the same. As a result there occurs slippage which may lead to fluff formation and thread breakage. It may now be tried, without using the presser roll, to wind a smooth thread package by communicating to the reed, in a direction parallel to the axis of the thread package, a periodic traverse movement using an appropriate traverse stroke and frequency. Such a traverse movement may be superimposed on the heretofore described correction movements. This is preferably carried out electrically by superimposing an electric traversing signal on the electric control signals for the reed motors 53, 54. Such superimposition is simpler to realize electrically than mechanically. Moreover, the traverse stroke and frequency are simple to adjust when a generator is used which produces a signal Whose amplitude and frequency are adjustable. If it should also be undesirable to use the roller 70 (FIGURE 4) which lightly presses against the thread package, then the movement of the detecting elements 11, 14 can also be derived from asensing element which is not in contact with the thread package. In this case one or more photoelectric detecting elements or one or more pneumatic auxiliary detecting elements of the heretofore described construction may be used.

In FIGURE 5, reference numeral designates an alternate embodiment of the guiding element which is a reed having a plurality of parallel wires 91 spaced apart to allow passage of threads 4. The ends of the reed are pivotally mounted on shafts 92 and 93 and are actuated by the driving apparatus for the'reed which include motors (not shown) that cause movement of the reed in the direction of the arrows.

Another guiding element may be provided by the swinging reed sections 94 and 95 shown in FIGURE 6. These sections have reed pins 96 spaced to provide a plurality of narrow'passages for threads 4. In this embodiment of the guiding element hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 97 and 98, respectively, are coupled by pivotal connections to the swinging reed sections. These cylinders are actuated by the reed driving apparatus in the direction of the arrows to swing the reed sections separately or simultaneously.

FIGURE 7 shows an embodiment of the guiding element in the form of a zig-zag expanding reed 99 actuated via a rack and pinion arrangement by motors 100 and 101. The reed in thi embodiment is made up on a plurality of pivotally connected sections 102 which are supported on guide rods 103 and 104. Each section has red pins 105 for guiding threads 4. The center of the reed is pivotally mounted on a fixed support 106. The reed is caused to expand or contract in the directions indicated by the arrows.

The expanding reed shown in FIGURE 8 comprises a plurality of sections 108 having reed pins 109 and being secured to rods 110. One end of the reed is secured to a guide rod positioned in a guide bushing and the other end is actuated by cylinder 112. The rods are pivotally linked together with the reed sections so that the reed will expand or contract by operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 112. The center of the reed is pivotally connected to cylinder 114. The cylinders are actuated by a driving apparatus to eflect the inward and outward movements indicated by the arrow and/ or to eflect lateral movement of the fixed pivoting point at the center of the reed.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for guiding a sheet of parallelized threads that are simultaneously wound to a thread package, which comprises guide means through which the threads of said sheet are passed, driving means for imparting at least one corrective movement to said guide means, so that at least a part of the sheet of threads makes a movement in its plane transverse to the direction of travel of the threads, and detecting means for supplying a control signal to the driving means which is representative of the selvage build of said package and which causes the driving means to move the guide means whereby a deviating selvage build is selectively corrected, said driving means imparting such a corrective movement to the guide means that substantially only those selvage threads that form part of a wrongly built up selvage participate in the transverse movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said guide means includes a guiding element in the form of a fan reed having a series of side-by-side openings through which the threads are passed, and said driving means, in re sponse to said control signal, is capable of separately as well as simultaneously imparting to the fan reed a translatory movement in a direction parallel to the thread package axis and a translatory movement in a direction perpendicular to the thread package axis, the vector composition of both movements resulting in a translation, the direction of which is parallel to the direction of a fan reed opening through which a selvage thread is passed.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the guide means comprises an expanding reed and said driving means is capable of imparting to the reed: a movement such that the operating width of the reed is changed relative to its middle; a movement such that one end of the reed is moved in a direction parallel to the thread package axis and a movement such that one end of the reed is moved outwards and the other end is moved inwards.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said guide means comprises an expanding reed and said driving means is capable of imparting to the reed: a movement such that the operating width of the reed is changed relative to its middle; a movement such that one end of the reed is moved in a direction parallel to the thread package axis; and a movement such that the reed in its entirety makes a translatory movement parallel to the axis of the thread package.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the guide means comprises a guiding element having a number of swinging reed sections, and said driving means is capable of separately as well as simultaneously swinging at least two of said reed sections.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a reed with parallel wires which is positioned perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of threads, said reed having a nominal position in which the plane of the reed is oblique relative to the sheet of threads, and being pivotally mounted On two shafts positioned at its respective ends and parallel to the reed wires, and said driving means causing the reed to pivot on said two shafts separately as well as simultaneously.

'7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which control means are provided for causing the guide means to make a periodic traversing movement in a direction parallel to to the axis of the thread package.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said driving means includes an electric driving means for actuating the guide means in response to an electric control signal, and said control means comprise a generator for producing an electric signal representing the desired traverse motion and a device for superimposing this signal on said electric control signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said detecting means, comprises detecting elements, which in cooperation with the edges of the thread package, supply a control signal that is derived from the geometric form of the selvage profile.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said detecting means comprises at least two detecting elements, each of which is connected to an inlet opening through which gas may be fed thereto, and provided with a first outflow opening which, during operation, is positioned-near and directed at one edge of the thread package, a main channel which connects the inlet and outflow openings, a constriction provided in the main channel, and an auxiliary channel in which the gas pressure forms said control signal and which at one end connects with the main channel at a point between the outflow opening and the constriction and at the other end with the driving means in order to control said driving means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further including a sensing element in contact with the thread package when the apparatus is in operation and a guide which serves to keep the sensing element to a given path as the diameter of the thread package increases, two detecting elements, one at each end of the thread package, being coupled to the sensing element and freely movable relative to said sensing element in a direction transverse to the thread package.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which the sensing element is formed by a rolled.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a yarn beam on which the thread package is wound and a presser roll in contact with the thread package, said sensing element being formed by the presser roll.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further including, a package holder provided with two flanges, on which said threads are wound to a thread package, and two detecting elements, each being provided with a second outflow opening which during normal operation is located near and directed at the inner side of one of the flanges, said detecting means further including a second main channel which connects a second inlet opening with said second outflow opening, a second constriction located in said second main channel, and a second auxiliary channel which at its one end connects with the second main channel at a point between the second outflow opening and the second constriction and at its other end with the driving means so that the position of the second outflow opening relative to the flange may be signalled to the driving means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which the detecting elements are kept in contact with the flanges against the action of a spring.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 in which each of the detecting elements is also provided with a third outflow opening which during normal operation is located near and directed at the thread package, and said detecting means further includes a third main channel which connects a third inlet opening and said third outflow opening, and a third constriction located in said third main channel, and a third auxiliary channel which at its one end connects with the third main channel at a point between the third outflow opening and the third constriction and at its other end with the driving means so that the position of the third ouflow opening relative to the thread package may besignalled to said driving means.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, in which the auxiliary channels corresponding, respectively, to the second and third outflow openings of each detecting means is combined to a single auxiliary channel connected to the driving means.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 in which all of the auxiliary channels corresponding to, respectively, the second and the third outflow openings of the detecting means UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1950 Watson 28-32 3/1965 Duncan et al. 28-32 LOUIS K. RIMRODT, Primary Examiner 

